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Because last week was mostly a wash week when it comes to riding, it resulted in me just feeling like a whiny baby for not doing more with Jean-Luc. Regardless, it is what it is. On Friday, however, I had a rather unexpectedly pleasant experience.
My husband, who is about as far from “horse person” as it gets, was going out of town for the weekend. Knowing we wouldn’t see each other for a few days we went on a date to our token obligatory small-town America date spot – Applebee’s (Can’t beat that 2 for $20/ half-price appetizers and happy hour!) After a pleasant meal, I started talking to my husband and how much I wish I had gone out to the barn this week. “We have more time before I have to go,” he said. “Would you like to go out now?” “Despite the cold?” I asked confused. The temperatures were in the low thirties, and the wind didn’t make it any warmer. “Sure,” he replied. So, after eating we headed out to the barn. Together, we bundled up in what few extra clothes I kept in my car, grabbed Jean-Luc’s halter, and marched into a freezing field. Once we were about fifteen feet away from Jean-Luc he came to us and quickly devoured his apple treats. “Let me give them to him so he will love me,” my husband asked. I handed over the treats and lead Jean-Luc back to the barn. The extra hand was nice for simple things like opening the gate and conversation. We laughed at how absolutely disgusting my white and champagne colored horse was – black… literally, there were places that were actually BLACK! When we got back inside the barn we warmed our hands and I handed my husband Jean-Luc’s bit to warm up while I started cleaning the dirt off of him. “You treat your horse better than me!” my husband remarked. I said nothing. (Don’t we all?) Eventually, we were ready to walk around in the indoor ring. I hopped on Jean-Luc all the while discussing my actions and reasons for them as I went with my husband. I believe the mark of a good teacher is one who can break actions down to the finest steps, all the while explaining the rationale behind them without coming off as patronizing. This is always extremely difficult to do with loved ones, I feel. After a few moments and several laps around the ring, I could see my husband was actually excited to ride. “Would you like to hop on I asked.” He replied with a simple, “Yes.” Before I knew it, his leg was in the stirrup and he was up. I lead him around a little, to be sure neither of my men was going to freak out, and then they were off. The two of them seemed to really make some sort of connection immediately – something I have rarely experienced among new riders. I think Jean-Luc truly enjoyed having my husband as a rider because, like Jean-Luc, my husband gets bored easily. Though the arena is small they were having a ball going in tight circles, doing figure eights, and serpentines. Honestly, my mind was a little blown. Sure, he has much to learn – posture, feet, etc., but all in all, it wasn’t bad. Before I knew it, our short lesson was coming to a close. “One more lap?” he asked me. “You are going to be late?” I questioned back as if he was sure he didn’t care to be late to get on the road. “One more lap,” he repeated. And by one, he meant five. During his last few laps, he kept expressing to how impressed he was at how more calm he thought Jean-Luc was. He told me that when I first brought Jean-Luc home, he never thought he would ride him because he seemed crazy! We eventually untacked and started home. I can’t believe he enjoyed his ride as much as he did, but there you have it. My husband also told me how proud he was of me and how different Jean-Luc seemed. Not that I needed it, but it was nice to hear him acknowledge the difference and all the hard work we’ve put in. “I get why you like to do this,” he told me. Sitting on the back of Jean-Luc, with some sort of beverage in hand watching the world go by is one of my favorite ways to see the world. I regularly say that and the sentiment has only grown stronger in the months since I’ve had Jean-Luc. I am thrilled because this weekend is another opportunity to hit the trails with a few of my favorite people from our local riding club. Five or six of us are coming together to ride along the Greenbrier river trail at a place called “EJ Stables,” in Pocahontas County. Though I know it is going to be cold, I cannot wait to stay in an old rustic cabin and hit a few rail trails with my man!
2 Comments
lytha
11/15/2017 05:00:35 pm
this makes me so happy. i do see one black spot.
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Chelsey
11/15/2017 05:12:53 pm
Lol! Yep. We’ve had quite the adventure together, the hubby and me. July made 3 years. Several of our hobbies we do together, but horses have always been one of my own things. It was pretty sweet to share last weekend.
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AuthorMy name is Chelsey. HorseGenerator's Cuevo Gold, or as he's known around this barn, "Jean-Luc Ponycard", was foaled in 2004 from Generator's Hurricane & Cheyenne's Little Bit. Top 10 Blog Favs.Archives
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